We all know people like that.
Yes, code is important. Very important. But a project like MariaDB exists and grows because of people. People who contribute code, of course, but also people who help users, review bugs, write blog posts, speak at events, answer questions, test new features, build tools, and share knowledge with others.
The submission period is open until April 25, 2026, and the winners will be announced on May 1, 2026.
Because our community deserves to celebrate the people who make it special.
It’s a new initiative to recognize the people who help make the MariaDB ecosystem stronger. Not only from a technical perspective but also from a community and ecosystem point of view.
Time to nominate someone
And that makes a lot of sense.
A healthy open-source project needs developers, but it also needs ambassadors, educators, organizers, maintainers, and all those people who help connect the technology with users.
That work matters. A lot.
One of the things I really like about open source is that a project is never only about the software.
More than code
This is exactly why I’m very happy to announce the MariaDB Foundation Sea Lion Champions program.
And yes, even if you think their contribution is “small,” have another look. Very often, what looks small from close up is actually something that has helped many people over time.
That will make the nomination much stronger.
And honestly, I hope to see many great names submitted.
Don’t hesitate to submit
If you are thinking about somebody, submit them.
If you know somebody who has made a difference in the MariaDB ecosystem, this is the right moment to put their name forward.
You can find all the details and the submission form on the dedicated page: https://mariadb.org/sealion-champions/
Maybe it’s somebody who contributed code.
Maybe it’s someone who helped users on forums or social media.
Maybe it’s somebody who gave talks, wrote articles, created tools, improved integrations, or simply kept pushing the community in the right direction.
Important dates
And now, submissions are open.
Also, don’t just send a name. Add context. Explain what they did. Share links to their work, blog posts, pull requests, talks, videos, tools, or anything that helps show their contribution.
Sometimes they are very visible. Sometimes they work quietly in the background. But their impact is real, and this program is a good way to say, “We see you, and we appreciate what you do!”
The Sea Lion Champions Awards cover several areas, including technical excellence, community leadership, ecosystem impact, open source stewardship, and adoption and industry impact.
